Summary
We provide scholarships and leadership development training to rural Guatemalan teens. In return, they give back to their community by leading reading activities with younger children.
What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
Rosmery is one of our teen reading promoters. Her parents are uneducated yet she aspires to be a teacher, “I want to show that a girl can be something in this world.” Earning just $100/month her family cannot afford her $500/year school fees. Our program allows her to continue studying AND empowers her with confidence and pride as she brings a love of reading to children in her community where there is a 50% illiteracy rate, no means to buy books, no library, nor even textbooks in the school.
How will this project solve this problem?
We empower teens to promote literacy. The ability to read enables children to envision and create a better life for themselves. Maria, leader of a local women’s group said, “Literacy is vital to our children’s future. There is no more land to farm.”
Potential Long Term Impact
This project will develop local leaders, increase the number of high school graduates (currently 5%), and break the cycle of illiteracy in the town of Concpecion (pop. 5000) -- creating the opportunities the children need to fulfill their potential.
Project Message
I am enclosing a check because of what books have meant in my life. These kids deserve no less.
- Meghan Kostishack, Reading Village supporter
Funding Information
Total Funding Received to Date: $4,198
Remaining Goal to be Funded: $45,801
Total Funding Goal: $50,000
Additional Documentation
This project has provided additional documentation in a Microsoft Excel file (projdoc.xls).
Resources